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differential oil

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by Cveticanin, Jan 1, 2023.

  1. Jan 1, 2023 at 8:54 AM
    #1
    Cveticanin

    Cveticanin [OP] New Member

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    My 2018 Tundra has 50k on it, I bought it use earlier this yr. How often should the differential oil and trans oil be change? My dealer is closed for the holidays. Why I'm asking here. Thank you
     
  2. Jan 1, 2023 at 8:57 AM
    #2
    Johnsonman

    Johnsonman New Member

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    LED headlamps/fogs; interior footlamps.
    I like 5 yrs or 60K yet in your case, I'd do it now. Use full synthetic.
     
  3. Jan 1, 2023 at 8:58 AM
    #3
    Bergy24

    Bergy24 New Member

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    I believe the manual calls for them to be changed @ 60K
    Some do it earlier, some do it later.
    Since you don't know how the truck has been treated, it probably would not be a bad idea to do it soon.
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2023
    MedCityMoto likes this.
  4. Jan 1, 2023 at 9:37 AM
    #4
    centex

    centex New Member

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    Did mine at 53k. Fluid didn’t look bad but I know the previous owner towed a lot.
     
  5. Jan 2, 2023 at 6:00 AM
    #5
    Charliebrn

    Charliebrn New Member

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    I changed everything except transmission oil at 50k. It all looked new except the rear differential which was dark. I’ll prob take it to the dealer for tranny change since it’s a pain at 60k.
     
  6. Jan 2, 2023 at 6:31 AM
    #6
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto SciTech Nerd

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    It's all drain and refills and I'd do them sooner than later for peace of mind.

    If you need an upgraded front differential magnetic drain bolt, I've got an extra Kaon one, super nice vs the dumb hex key OEM one, let me know.

    It's the 100k - 120k second transmission service that requires dropping the pan to replace the internal filter that's more labor intensive.
     
  7. Jan 2, 2023 at 6:34 AM
    #7
    TundraMcGov.

    TundraMcGov. Your friend. Your foe. Not yo Ho.

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    I'll also chime in and note I did mine at 55,000 miles. And used Red Line full synthetic.

    Just a reminder that when you do work the first thing to do (besides setting the truck up level) is to be sure that the fill hole bolts come loose. BEFORE you open the drain plugs. Make sure the fill bolt comes loose.

    Super easy. Get a nose plug.
     
    Rocko9999 and MedCityMoto like this.
  8. Jan 2, 2023 at 6:38 AM
    #8
    Shanet421

    Shanet421 (Semi) New Member

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    Do you happen to have a link to the Kaon plug? If no one else is interested I would love it!
     
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  9. Jan 2, 2023 at 6:39 AM
    #9
    MedCityMoto

    MedCityMoto SciTech Nerd

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    Lol, my fiance pointed out that used gear oil smelled like cat pee, and I thought that was pretty accurate
     
  10. Jan 3, 2023 at 9:29 AM
    #10
    Tigereye

    Tigereye New Member

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    I recently replaced differential fluid, transfer case, and did a drain and fill on the transmission fluid. The front differential was a pain refilling. I bought an extra bottle of the fluid due to advice on this forum and it made it easier to fill. All of the others were pretty easy. I did them all at around 59k miles because I had to take off the cat shields to do everything.
     
    MedCityMoto likes this.
  11. Jan 3, 2023 at 9:45 AM
    #11
    matictundra

    matictundra New Member

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    I did my trans and transfer case fluids at 60K miles interval. I used Toyota transmission fluid for the trans. I used Revnol for the transfer case. I also do my power steering (Dextron III), brake (Motul 5.1) and coolant (Toyota) fluids every 60K miles or 5yrs, whichever comes 1st. Lastly, I do my diff's every 2 yrs using Lucas 75/140 synthetic gear oil since I'm regeared to 5.29.
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2023
  12. Jan 3, 2023 at 9:54 AM
    #12
    KNABORES

    KNABORES Sarcasm incoming

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    Doing my 64k mile 2019 rear diff today with the oil change and tire rotation. Have done some heavy towing, interested to see what this stuff looks like. Usually disgusting with an awful smell, until you change to full synthetic. Then it's not nearly as stinky. Will do the front diff and transfer case at the next oil change likely, they always look like brand new fluid when I change them, so not sure if they truly need 30-60k intervals unless they are daily use. I use 4WD rarely. Snow and soggy yards for this rig.
     
  13. Jan 6, 2023 at 8:18 AM
    #13
    Elroy_unlimited

    Elroy_unlimited New Member

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    I changed mine at 59k but I’m also about to make a 2300 mile trek with my Land Cruiser in tow. I used mobile 1 75w/90 for front/rear diffs and Ravenol 75w for the transfer case. Easy job just get new crush washers and a good pump.
     
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  14. Jan 7, 2023 at 6:22 AM
    #14
    Tigereye

    Tigereye New Member

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    bed liner, diamondback se, level kit, nitto ridge grapplers,tufskinz letters, grab handle
    I used Toyota transmission fluid and Ravenol for differentials and transfer case.
     
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  15. Jan 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM
    #15
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    That sure is nice! You can get the bags in some tight spots as well.
     
  16. Jan 10, 2023 at 5:11 AM
    #16
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    I use AMSoil and may try HPF (high performance fluid) on the recommendation from @Sumo91. He definitely does his research on proper lube oils.

    We used AMSoil at work for a short period of time in heavy industrial use gearboxes. They just couldn’t get the formula right and had a high acid problem right out of the barrel. We had to drain 300 gallons of it and went back to Mobil again.
     
  17. Jan 10, 2023 at 5:12 AM
    #17
    MadMaxCanon

    MadMaxCanon New Member

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    Too many, but not enough....
    The interval really depends on usage imo. For example, I changed mine at 20k miles and it was as black as the devils heart, but it didnt smell toast. Granted, it was the original fluid, but I offroad and frequently have the truck loaded up with family and luggage and such, so, close to payload. I plan on changing it again at 40k to see if is as bad as the first time, or if that first change was because it was the breakin oil still.

    I use mobil 1.
     
  18. Jan 10, 2023 at 5:17 AM
    #18
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ Certified tow LEO Staff Member

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    Ehh, 300 gallons is pretty small in our industry. We have three general purpose turbine oil reservoirs with 4600 gallons

    AMSoil did us right though. Paid for the disposal fee and credited us. I still use them, just not in those applications.
     
  19. Jan 10, 2023 at 7:05 AM
    #19
    CTundraForMe

    CTundraForMe New Member

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    I did not find the Amsoil squeezies to be useful. Could never drain them fully, and I found them hard to hold.

    I much prefer a cheap hand pump with a hose in a solid bottle.

    I used Amsoil in the diffs, paid Toyota to properly flush the transmission, and I used the expensive-weird-Toyota-tin-can transfer case fluid on the transfer case.
     

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